Sharing memory of a moving event in 2019 for organ donors, recipients

Continue reading newsletter here:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/.../329bf6...

Recuperation journey: Solace

Recently a friend gave me a wonderful book filled with inspirational stories and quotes to help anyone going through the grieving process. The book features one positive affirmation a day for a year.

Regular readers will recall that my dear husband Ralph passed away in December.

I was moved by what I read on Saturday's page about the role of familiar objects.

Instead of getting upset and sad looking at his possessions - clothing, books, photographs, magazines, and more - the affirmation urged me to take comfort in the familiar objects in the house. 

That's a new way of looking at my surroundings and one I'm going to try to achieve.

Valley Community Foundation seeks inspirational photos of hope during pandemic

Reflecting on a year of living with COVID-19, The Valley Community Foundation is asking local residents for help by sharing their inspirational pictures from the past 12 months.

“In light of everything we have endured during this pandemic, our 2020 annual report will be about a year of resilience. Despite the challenges, life-adjustments, and adversity that so many have faced, there still remains hope and inspiration during such unprecedented times. We would like to see what inspired the members of our community this past year,” said VCF President & CEO Sharon Closius. 

“We are looking for snapshots of these messages of hope, encouragement, and love reminding us that we are in this together. That is why we are asking Valley residents to share their pictures so we can paint an accurate picture.”

Pictures can include yard signs thanking frontline workers, appreciation for first responders, inspirational messages in windows, words of encouragement written in chalk on driveways, images of hearts, and so on. 

Please send high resolution images in JPG format to VCF’s staff at contactus@valleyfoundation.org.

Out of an abundance of caution, the 2021 VCF annual reception will not be held in person because of COVID-19. VCF will again host the event in a digital format. 

The staff hopes to create a video montage of community-submitted pictures that reflects the resilience of the Valley community during this pandemic at the event.

About the Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves.

VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, please visit the website at www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

Recuperation journey: Take time to think, get inspired

I subscribe to Basement Systems' founder Larry Janesky's [Think Daily] emails. This was today's thought:

The world will become better...

...when you become better. 

When you improve, so does everyone and everything around you.

You're in charge.

~

Here's the page where you can sign up for a free [Think Daily] subscription. 

It will arrive in your inbox weekday mornings. The messages are always interesting and inspiring.

Newsletter: Thinking pink, Seymour Pink

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter features last Friday's A Pink Night to Remember hosted by Seymour Pink, a community's fight against breast cancer.

Thanks for reading,

Patti and Ralph

Newsletter highlights Seymour man's inspiring recovery after accident

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features an inspiring Seymour couple, a panel discussion about human trafficking planned at a church in Derby, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti 

Seymour students learn life lessons from ex-wrestler

Former wrestling champ Marc Mero presents 'Champion of Choices' program recently at Seymour Middle School. /Submitted photo

SEYMOUR - Students at the middle and high schools recently learned valuable life lessons from former pro wrestling champion Marc Mero.

Mero poses with Seymour High School
students./Submitted photo

The program was coordinated by Rich Kearns, Director of Security, Seymour Public Schools. 

Kearns said in a press release: "Seymour Schools was able to bring this program to its students through the generosity of the Valley Community Foundation and the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission." 

Please click here for a story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich about Mero's inspirational presentations.

Motivational speaker to address Center for Disability Rights in West Haven

A man who defied all odds to participate in and complete the New York City Marathon in 2009 will be the featured speaker Thursday at a meeting of the Center for Disability Rights.

The West Haven-based nonprofit will welcome John Tartaglio to its membership meeting at 6 p.m. at Savin Rock Conference Center, 5 Rock St., West Haven. 

In 2004 at the age of 17 Tartaglio lost both legs and a bicep to a rare bacterial infection. He went on to graduate cum laude from Fairfield University and earn a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut.

Tartaglio will share his inspiring life story with members and friends of the Center for Disability Rights.

The Valley is a part of the nonprofit organization's catchment area. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Note: CDR members in good standing who stay for the entire event will receive a copy of Tartaglio’s book. He will have books for sale for non-members, the general public, and members who would like to purchase additional copies.